Tuesday September 08, 2009

Middle Tennessee Review

Middle Tennessee Review
This week is obviously different because yesterday was Labor Day and this week’s game is on Thursday. Therefore, we have had to change the blog schedule but I still wanted to give my thoughts on the season opener. So, here a just a few thoughts from last Saturday:

*I was shocked at the number of fans that were looking for tickets and the lack of sellers. I was floored and almost everyone I talked to noticed the same thing. The only two theories we could come up with was the season tickets sales went down so the supply of people having extra tickets went down and the Dabo factor. It reconfirmed the idea that people love this guy.

*I only saw only a few negatives Saturday. I have a feeling though that one will go away but another may hang around a while. The short-term negative I saw was the wide receivers and their drops. I feel pretty confident that Jacoby Ford will not drop the ball like he did twice Saturday. The long-term issue is the offensive line. I did not see the nasty streak I was looking for. In fact, I thought the second team line looked better than the first but fatigue may have played a part of that.

*I thought Kyle Parker played well for his first start. He was quicker than I have seen him when they blew whistles early in practice. He made plays with his feet in two ways. First, he bought extra time in the pocket and still looked down field. Also he made some nice runs when he decided to escape the pocket, it was nice to see the quarterback not slide in front of the chains.

*Spiller was electric in his few touches. I disagreed with taking the ball first but he made wrong with that kind of electricity. His punt return was also a thing of beauty.

*It was nice to see a healthy Jacoby Ford. Outside of the drops, I thought he was terrific. Ford and Spiller might be the fastest combination in the country.

*Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington did not disappoint. Harper showed his quick feet and physical nature on several carries. Ellington is going to be a star. He is as good as any third back in the country. The duo combined for 148 yards on 24 carries. I know Clemson will miss Spiller in 2010 but the cupboard will not be empty.

*It was nice to see Marquan Jones come up with a big play on his touchdown. He had a 38-yard reception and a 33-yard touchdown catch.

*Middle Tennessee wanted to limit the big play but that is easier said than done against the Tigers. A 96-yard kickoff return, a 61-yard punt return, a 43-yard pass and a 33-yard pass made up the four Clemson touchdowns.

*The Tigers special teams were a he factor. Spiller and Ford had 135 yards in punt returns and 144 yards in kick returns. The two scores marked just the second time in school history the Tigers have had a kickoff and a punt returned for scores. They had three returns over 50 yards.

*I loved the speed, quickness and toughness of the defense.

*I was impressed with the defensive gameplan. The use of the dime package was a terrific way to defend the spread of Middle Tennessee. I was also encouraged to see so many defensive backs contribute. I think we all knew what we had with Chris Chancellor, Crezdon Butler and Byron Maxwell. But DeAndre McDaniel was a head hunter at his new position. Marcus Gilchrist also looked outstanding. However, it was the newcomers that really have me encouraged. I had no idea Rashard Hall would be credited with 13 tackles. Xavier Brewer, Coty Sensabaugh and Jonathan Meeks played more than I thought they would.

*Stanley Hunter was speechless with the way Brandon Maye honored him by wearing his number 17 Saturday. We felt the same way but it was because of Maye’s play. The sophomore was all over the field and was the emotional leader on the defense. Maye and McDaniel were credited with 14 tackles each.

*The scheme was more aggressive on the defensive side of the ball compared to last season. I liked some of the blitzes including the ones where Ricky Sapp lined up at linebacker. Clemson had three sacks and five quarterback hurries. Actually, because of the dime defense, Kavell Connor and Scotty Cooper did not play a single snap from scrimmage this week. Middle Tennessee had 81 offensive snaps in the game and Maye played 71 snaps. Jeremy Campbell had 7 snaps and Corrico Hawkins played two snaps. If Clemson played a 4-3 the entire game there would have been 243 available snaps to the three linebackers. Instead the linebackers played just 80.

*Boy did I feel bad for Willy Korn. He has worked so hard and it was difficult to see him have those two turnovers. He is a strong enough to come back again though. I still think this program will need him at some point this season.

*That was the most refreshing rain I can remember.

*Still one of the coolest things that happens to us every game is when at least three people we have never met introduce themselves to Ryan and I and tell us they have been praying for Ryan. That is still very cool and never gets old.

*I have watched the first quarter of the Georgia Tech-Jacksonville State game and will finish watching the rest today. We will turn our attention to the Yellow Jackets in tomorrow’s blog.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Ann Fallaw.